Nippon Sport Science University Cheerleading Squad VORTEX
37 members of Nippon Sport Science University Cheerleading Squad VORTEX came to Hawaii to perform at the Honolulu Festival. They were persuaded to participate for the first time by their coach who has a connection with a university team in Hawaii.
VORTEX is a well known cheerleading squad in Japan, having won many first place awards at national cheerleading competitions.
Their practices involved different movements and techniques that would be conducive to moving down Kalakaua Avenue for the Grand Parade. Spectators were in awe of their precision. You could hear gasps after each position change.
The squad had much to look forward to besides the Honolulu Festival. A joint cheerleading event was organized on March 16th for VORTEX, University of Hawaii and Hawaii Pacific University cheerleaders.
One of the spectators at Ala Moana Center Stage who came from Kailua said, "This is the second time for me to see the Honolulu Festival performances. I think it's such a wonderful festival because there is so much variety in the performances. I just saw the VORTEX cheerleading squad. I was impressed by their wonderful energy and liveliness. I'm so happy to get recharged by them!"
The reaction from the spectators was just awesome. We were energized by their cheers.
VORTEX Captain Kunikata Rumi
This is my first time to Hawaii. Sometimes it is difficult to keep smiling, especially during our hard practices. But I always remind myself how important it is to constantly smile and excite our audience. The most important thing for us is teamwork. Teamwork is the source of our energy and we need that in order to perform and cheer well. What I realized by performing in Hawaii is that the reaction from the spectators was just awesome. We were energized by their cheers.
I get energized and recharged each time I see VORTEX perform.
Spectator Suzuki Haruno
I live in Hawaii. I met some of the members of their cheerleading squad through a cultural exchange program. I came today to support my friends on the VORTEX squad. I even made a banner for them. Cheerleading in Japan is different than in America, there aren't any male cheerleaders on the squad. I hope that more male cheerleaders will participate in the future. I get energized and recharged each time I see VORTEX perform. My headache vanishes as soon as I start watching their performance. I hope that all of you will continue to support VORTEX!
Miyagi University Kosuzume
Kosuzume is a club organization at Miyagi University. They contribute to their local community by sharing "Suzume Odori" (Sparrow Dance), a traditional art form of Miyagi. There are over 100 members in their club. Eleven members were selected to represent Miyagi University at the Honolulu Festival.
Since this is their first overseas performance, the group created a new song and dance for this special occasion.
The group Kosuzume has won the coveted One-Eyed Dragon Masamune Award two years in a row. They were very excited to be able to perform Miyagi's traditional dance for spectators from all over the world.
Our first overseas performance, but we were able to enjoy it thoroughly without getting nervous.
Kosuzume member Inomata Shuuhei
This was our first overseas performance, but we were able to enjoy it thoroughly without getting nervous. I think that our performance scored 100% because all our members did their very best. Thank you very much for all your support!
It's wonderful that the young people want to carry on their traditions like this.
Spectator Chris
I'm from New Jersey. I have seen other traditional Japanese art forms in the past but this is my first time to see the Sparrow Dance. I really liked their unique shouts and movements. I think it's wonderful that the young people want to carry on their traditions like this. I wish them the very best in the future.
Ritsumeikan University dig up treasure
This is the second consecutive year for Ritsumeikan dig up treasure to participate in the Honolulu Festival. Their performance was once again enjoyed by the audience this year.
They performed on stage at Oahu's largest shopping center, Ala Moana Center, in front of many spectators. They showed their magnificent acts one by one to the beat of their upbeat music. They practiced for the Honolulu Festival since last autumn.
Spectators clapped and cheered. Some of them were invited on stage to attempt Double Dutch jump rope. A good time was had by all…those who tried it as well as those who watched.
If I had to score our performance it would be 50% out of 100%. The tension score was 100%! I think we had a few too many mistakes…We fully enjoyed Hawaii. I'm glad that we were able to please our audience. Hawaii spectators really get into it!
This group should be performing worldwide!
Spectator Janice
The members of dig up treasure are fantastic! They should be performing worldwide! I've never done Double Dutch. It looks very difficult. They are so young, so energetic and so talented. Their performance makes all of us smile and be happy. It's a lot of fun!
Hosei University Team Hosei
Team Hosei is a group of students and one teacher from Hosei University who love Yosakoi. This is an experienced team that participates in the "Harajuku Omotesando Genki Matsuri Super Yosakoi" each summer.
Six members participated in the Honolulu Festival this year. "I know that we are a small group but we dance with joy and charm. We will do our best," said each member. What's unique about Team Hosei is that they dance with all their might and they have originality. Their music, their choreography, their costumes…everything is original and created by the members.
Team Hosei students enjoy taking pictures with the spectators after each performance. This is their opportunity to promote goodwill. You can't feel any language barriers during such precious moments.
I make mistakes and confuse my students, but please continue to cheer for us!
Hosei University Professor Okanouchi Tadashi
I found out about the Honolulu Festival from a person I met at the "Harajuku Super Yosakoi Matsuri." I participate with my students as a regular member of this group, not as their adviser. The students that make up Team Hosei are students of my class called Society Development Studies. I actually began Team Hosei to develop social interaction on our campus. It's been six years since we began. We started practicing about a month prior. I make mistakes and confuse my students, but please continue to cheer for us!
I had so much fun performing.
Member of Team Hosei Sato Ayaka
This was the first time to visit Hawaii for most of us which means that of course this was the first time for us to perform in Hawaii. We practiced extensively in a very short period of time. I had so much fun performing. The people of Hawaii are warm, just like their climate. I think that Hawaii is a marvelous place.
Tokyo Jitsugyo High School Phoenix Regiment
The reputable Tokyo Jitsugyo High School Phoenix Regiment Marching Band from Nishi Urata in Ota Ward participated once again in the Honolulu Festival.
The group members were quite calm before their performance. "We'll have fun and do our best," said the students. They were relaxed and seemed to be in a good mood. Leave it to these experienced students! The group included students who will be graduating soon. They came well prepared despite the little time they had to practice.
I think our performance scored 100%.
Member Taguchi Hiroki
We really enjoyed performing on stage. I think our performance scored 100%. The spectators were so supportive. We were able to dance wonderfully to the very end.
I saved my money to come to Hawaii. This was a wonderful opportunity for me.
Member Tamura Ikumi
We made a few mistakes in our dance routine but I enjoyed performing. I saved my money to come to Hawaii. This was a wonderful opportunity for me. I'm a little tired but I'm ready for some shopping!
Their performance style is different from a typical American marching band. They were energetic and charming!
Spectator Deana
I watched the performances for about an hour. I really enjoyed Phoenix Regiment. Their performance style is different from a typical American marching band. They were energetic and charming!
Sonoda Gakuen High School
This is the fourth time that Sonoda Gakuen High School participated in the Honolulu Festival. And to top that, they had the largest group to ever perform in the Festival with 179 members!
The students of Sonoda Gakuen High School are from Amagasaki City in Hyogo Prefecture. The school has a long and rich history and is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year.
The students were a hit at the Grand Parade. They created a sea of blue down Kalakaua Avenue with their bright blue costumes. The girls were all smiles and full of energy. They had been practicing since April of last year, almost one year, to make sure that their dance routine was perfect.
Despite the fact that there were some audio problems during the parade, the students continued to smile throughout the interruption. The loyal spectators also continued to cheer and support the group.
Participation in the Honolulu Festival was an important part of their school excursion but they also had time to climb to the top of Diamond Head and go shopping at Ala Moana Center and Waikiki. They had a wonderful time in Hawaii.
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37 members of Nippon Sport Science University Cheerleading Squad VORTEX came to Hawaii to perform at the Honolulu Festival. They were persuaded to participate for the first time by their coach who has a connection with a university team in Hawaii. 
Spectator Suzuki Haruno
Kosuzume is a club organization at Miyagi University. They contribute to their local community by sharing "Suzume Odori" (Sparrow Dance), a traditional art form of Miyagi. There are over 100 members in their club. Eleven members were selected to represent Miyagi University at the Honolulu Festival. 
Kosuzume member Inomata Shuuhei
This is the second consecutive year for Ritsumeikan dig up treasure to participate in the Honolulu Festival. Their performance was once again enjoyed by the audience this year. 
Member Shun
Spectator Janice
Team Hosei is a group of students and one teacher from Hosei University who love Yosakoi. This is an experienced team that participates in the "Harajuku Omotesando Genki Matsuri Super Yosakoi" each summer.
Hosei University Professor Okanouchi Tadashi
Member of Team Hosei Sato Ayaka
The reputable Tokyo Jitsugyo High School Phoenix Regiment Marching Band from Nishi Urata in Ota Ward participated once again in the Honolulu Festival. 
Member Taguchi Hiroki
Member Tamura Ikumi
Spectator Deana
This is the fourth time that Sonoda Gakuen High School participated in the Honolulu Festival. And to top that, they had the largest group to ever perform in the Festival with 179 members! 
